Live music

THE MERC, THE ROCKS: TRADING AND TOPPED UP

Posted on April 8th, 2026 by Clyde Mooney
Sydney’s oldest Irish pub, The Mercantile, in The Rocks, has officially reawakened from a major overhaul and temporary digs to reveal a blend of history and modernity, and a “game-changing” rooftop bar. The pub was established in 1915, replacing the

‘NONSENSICAL’ COSTS HIT VICTORIA’S MUSIC VENUES HARD

Posted on November 14th, 2025 by Jane Louise
Melbourne pubs play a critical role in maintaining the city’s status as the culture capital of Australia, yet the local live music scene is struggling. Since 2018 over three hundred Victorian live music venues have closed, with smaller venues disproportionately

NEVERMIND TALKS DECADES OF SUSTAINABLE ROCK

Posted on August 6th, 2025 by Clyde Mooney
As live music in pubs continues to experience challenges around the country, the owner of Melbourne institution Nevermind shares tips for aspiring operators, out of nearly three decades of success. Founded in 1998, in the heady days of grunge emanating

LIVE MUSIC VENUES SUSTAIN UNCERTAINTY

Posted on February 24th, 2025 by Jane Louise
In spite of both state and local governments’ current progressive stance towards the importance of live music, live music venues are still experiencing turbulence. Last week popular Melbourne venue The Gasometer Hotel (‘the Gaso’) announced it would be closing its

LATEST VIBRANCY REFORMS FURTHER INDUSTRY PROTECTIONS

Posted on November 20th, 2024 by Clyde Mooney
The NSW government has rolled out the latest in its ‘Vibrancy’ reforms, slashing council red tape and introducing world-first legislation aimed at stopping the closure of live music venues. The Minns government is said to have ‘declared war’ on NIMBIES

CRANKIN: SAVED FROM DEMOLITION

Posted on August 21st, 2024 by Jane Louise
When a popular and historic Adelaide pub was facing the threat of demolition earlier this year, locals got together, petitioning the government in the hopes of saving the iconic venue. By April, the petition had reached the Green’s Heritage and

COMMODORE MEETS ROADBLOCK IN DRIVING CHANGE

Posted on August 18th, 2024 by Clyde Mooney
Glenn Piper has hit opposition to plans to reconfigure the Commodore Hotel in McMahons Point as part of the goal to become a live music venue, triggering the traditional pushback by locals plus a private school. The pub built on

ROCKIN’ NOVOCASTRIAN PUBS TAP TRADING HOUR EXTENSIONS

Posted on July 22nd, 2024 by Clyde Mooney
Following the 2023 bill to foster the revival of live entertainment and riding the wave of new government grants supporting live music, two more Steel city pubs have applied to extend their capacity and hours. The Cricketers Arms Hotel in

MORE VIBRANCY REFORMS KICK IN

Posted on June 19th, 2024 by Clyde Mooney
Important changes to NSW liquor laws ushering the next round of vibrancy reforms will commence on 1 July, to further support the night-time economy and the music and cultural sectors. Last year the NSW Government introduced its 24 Hour Economy